EP0216466B1 - Stamped circuitry assembly - Google Patents

Stamped circuitry assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0216466B1
EP0216466B1 EP86305725A EP86305725A EP0216466B1 EP 0216466 B1 EP0216466 B1 EP 0216466B1 EP 86305725 A EP86305725 A EP 86305725A EP 86305725 A EP86305725 A EP 86305725A EP 0216466 B1 EP0216466 B1 EP 0216466B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
finger
path
arm
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP86305725A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0216466A3 (en
EP0216466A2 (en
Inventor
Daniel Nigg
Edward Sommer
Burke Crane
Robert Deross
Jack D. Ii Raymer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Molex LLC
Original Assignee
Molex LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Molex LLC filed Critical Molex LLC
Publication of EP0216466A2 publication Critical patent/EP0216466A2/en
Publication of EP0216466A3 publication Critical patent/EP0216466A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0216466B1 publication Critical patent/EP0216466B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
    • H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
    • H01H5/18—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by flexing of blade springs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/36—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding
    • H01H1/48—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding with provision for adjusting position of contact relative to its co-operating contact
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H43/00—Time or time-programme switches providing a choice of time-intervals for executing one or more switching actions and automatically terminating their operations after the programme is completed
    • H01H43/10—Time or time-programme switches providing a choice of time-intervals for executing one or more switching actions and automatically terminating their operations after the programme is completed with timing of actuation of contacts due to a part rotating at substantially constant speed
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/10—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern
    • H05K3/20—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern by affixing prefabricated conductor pattern
    • H05K3/202—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern by affixing prefabricated conductor pattern using self-supporting metal foil pattern

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains to stamped circuitry assemblies of the type wherein conductive traces are stamped from a metal sheet, and thereafter applied to a dielectric substrate.
  • Printed circuit board assemblies produced by photographic and the like techniques are commonly employed to provide a convenient fabrication of high density electrical circuits. However, it is frequently desireable to incorporate mechanical systems in the high density circuits. Conventional printed circuit board assemblies are not satisfactory for this application, since they have a comparatively low limit to the maximum current permissible, at least in economical forms of construction. Also, a direct connection between circuit elements lying in different planes is generally impossible, so that in such cases, additional conductors have to be introduced between circuit traces and the individual elements which do not lie in a common plane.
  • stamped metallic circuits have been developed to provide the high current capability, mechanical ruggedness, and multiplane construction needed for a given application.
  • Examples of representative stamped metallic circuits can be found in United States Patent Nos. 3,108,360; 2,971,249 and 2,969,300.
  • the conductive traces are separately formed, being stamped from a metallic sheet, to form labyrinthian circuit paths.
  • the paths may be joined by one or more separable linking elements to form a carrier, or to strengthen the lattice network for use during assembly of the metallic circuit.
  • the metallic stamping is applied to a dielectric substrate, typically using adhesive suitable for the purpose.
  • the stamped metal tracing is sandwiched between two dielectric sheets to protect a majority of the conductive circuit paths from corrosion or the like degradation.
  • a similar arrangement is found in the more recent United States Patent No. 4,508,399. Again the stamped metallic surface is sandwiched between two dielectric portions which substantially enclose the circuit, protecting it from casual damage.
  • US-A-1,668,674 discloses a snap action switch which has angled terminal portions and which is cut out of sheet metal and mounted on a sheet of insulating material.
  • DE-A-2,305,883 also discloses a stamped circuit assembly incorporating a switch.
  • the present invention provides a stamped circuitry assembly including an integral metal stamping having a plurality of discrete conductive paths, a dielectric substrate having complementary recesses for receiving said conductive paths, and a switch, characterised in that said switch has a table movably mounted to said substrate, with a surface defining at least one path of movement, a contact pad carried on the table and having a tapered leading edge disposed along a portion of said path, and includes a stamped elongated resilient finger-like contact means having a contact surface disposed on said path so as to engage said contact pad as said table is moved, a movable support arm extending in a direction transverse to said path, joined at a first end to said finger-like contact and threadingly joined at a second end to screw adjustment means operative to reciprocate said arm in said transverse direction, whereby reciprocation of said arm causes transverse displacement of said finger-like contact, with said finger-like contact engaging said contact at different points along its tapered leading edge, to thereby vary the length of the path along said contact pad
  • Stamped metallic surface 12 is supported by a dielectric substrate 14.
  • substrate 14 is preferably formed to have recesses of varying depths to receive the conductive paths of circuit 12 with a friction fit.
  • stamped circuit 12 can include one or more separable carrier or linking members disposed at strategic places between adjacent conductive paths to lend mechanical support during fabrication of assembly 10. Since stamped circuit 12 is of a one-piece unitary construction including several spring members, it is preferably stamped from a single sheet of spring material such as phosphor bronze of thickness ranging between 0,13 and 0,38 mm (0.005 and 0.015 inches).
  • the surface 16 of substrate 14 is generally of a flat planar shape having openings formed therein by the various circuit-receiving recesses.
  • an upstanding support wall 20 projects above surface 16.
  • Support wall 20 includes a plurality of recesses 22 to receive a complementary plurality of upstanding finger-like male contacts 24 overlying and coextensive with wall 20.
  • Contacts 24 and support wall 20 together comprise a plug-like connector slideably receivable in the plug receiving cavity 26 of a mating female receptacle 28.
  • a corresponding plurality of mating contacts are disposed in cavity 26 for mating with male contacts 24.
  • the plug assembly of wall 20 and contacts 24 could, if desired, be located in interior portions of substrate 14 to provide a convenient point of electrical connection to an external circuit.
  • a snap action switch asembly shown in the left-hand corner of FIG. 1 is indicated generally at 40.
  • Assembly 40 includes a spring plate 42 moveable between a pair of fixed contacts 44, 46.
  • a plunger assembly indicated generally at 48 includes projection 50 which deflects spring plate 42 between two bistable positions.
  • Spring plate 42 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2a and 2b.
  • Spring plate 42 is formed of resilient conductive material as part of the integral stamping of circuit 12.
  • Spring plate 42 has formed therein two parallel elongated spaced-apart slots 52, 54 which form two outside support arms 56, 58 and an intermediate flexing arm 60.
  • Spring plate 42 has a first mounting end 62 and an opposed second free end 64 which establishes electrical contact between elements 44, 46.
  • Outside support arm 56 includes a pair of spaced apart offset portions 66, and similarly outside support arm 58 includes a pair of offset portions 68.
  • Portions 66, 68 are offset from the common plane of mounting end 62 and free end 64.
  • outside intermediate portions 66' 68' joining offset portion 66, 68 respectively are also offset, they can be arranged to lie in the plane of ends 62, 64.
  • the free end 64 of spring plate 42 moves in the direction of arrow 70 between two bistable positions, as indicated in the sequence shown in FIGS. 3a-3f. As shown in FIG. 3a, free end 64 is in a first bistable position so as to establish electrical connection with contact 46.
  • a plunger assembly generally indicated at 48 includes a pair of projections 50a, 50b which contact the flexing arm 60 so as to displace the free end 64 in first and second directions generally transverse the spring plate 42.
  • projection 50a is advanced along flexing arm 60 in the two directions indicated by double headed arr 74. That is, projection 50a is advanced in a direction generally transverse to flexing arm 60, while also being advanced to slide along the length of the camming area 76 of flexing arm 60.
  • projection 50a deflects flexing arm 60 with a camming action as indicated by the cross-hatched area 76 of FIG. 2a.
  • flexing arm 60 takes on the second bistable position indicated in FIG. 3c owing to the differential bowing between flexing arm 60 and outside support arms 56, 58. Thereafter, projection 50b is advanced toward flexing arm 60 so as to cause an opposite deflection toward the first bistable position of FIG. 3a, whereupon contact is again established with member 46 as indicated in FIGS. 3a, 3f.
  • the second projection 50b is advanced toward flexing arm 60 with an impulsive movement, whereas the first projection 50a is moved in a slower fashion with continuous pressure being applied during camming with flexing arm 60.
  • the camming operation was found to provide a better control of flexing arm deflection, although this was not requried on the return stroke of projection 50b.
  • the immediate application in the preferred embodiment is merely insensitive to contact bounce and jitter, although other applications may be more critical in this regard.
  • plunger assembly 48 comprises an actuator arm 80 pivotally mounted at 82 to dielectric substrate 14 for movement in a direction of arrow 84.
  • Arm 80 is biased in one direction by spring 86 indicated in diagrammatic form.
  • Actuation of arm 80 is conveniently provided by a cam 86 pivotally mounted at 88 for movement in a counterclockwise direction.
  • Cam 86 has a first continuous outer surface portion 90 for continuous camming engagement with arm 80 so as to pivot the arm in a first counterclockwise direction.
  • Cam 86 also includes a recess portion 92 which withdraws the camming engagement, allowing movement of arm 80 in a clockwise direction under the force of spring 86.
  • the camming sliding engagement of projection 50a and flexing arm 60 is provided, along with an impulsive deflection of flexing arm 60 by projection 50b.
  • actuator arm 80 comprises a plate-like member lying in a plane parallel to the deflection movement of spring plate 42, and overlies the spring plate to provide a covering protection therefor.
  • the actuator arms 50 as can be seen in FIG. 1, depend from the plate-like member 80 having a convenient dog-leg shape.
  • a rotary switch assembly is indicated generally at 100 to include a rotatably mounted table 102 defining a circular path of movement 104.
  • a plate-like contact member 106 is disposed on an upper surface 108 of table 102.
  • Table 102 is mounted for clockwise rotation due to a conventional pivoting means affixed to substrate 14.
  • Contact 106 has a tapered leading edge 110, which is tapered in a radial sense to provide an advantageous timing relationship as will be explained herein.
  • Table 102 is mounted to the underside of dielectric substrate 14, and the window-like aperture 112 provides communication with path 104 from components lying on upper substrate surface 16.
  • contact 106 has an upper wiping surface projecting above upper table surface 108. Accordingly, to provide a smooth transition a ramp-like member 114 is provided from the same metal plate from which contact 106 is stamped. Although ramp 114 can be electrically connected, it is electrically isolated in the preferred embodiment.
  • An elongated moveable support arm 118 is connected to stamped circuit 12 through a cantilever spring beam 120. As spring beam 120 flexes in the direction of arrow 122, support arm 118 is moved in directions transverse to path 104, as indicated by arrow 124. Support arm 118 is joined at a first end to a finger-like contact 128 having bifurcated contact surfaces 130 which slide along the upper surface of ramp 1 14 and electrical contact 106 in wiping electrical engagement therewith. Support arm 118 is joined at a second end to a screw adjustment assembly 132 consisting of a yoke 134 integrally formed with a substrate 14 and a conventional screw member 136 having a head 138.
  • Yoke 134 provides a conventional rotatable mounting for screw head 138, allowing rotation of screw 136 without an axial advancement thereof.
  • Support arm 118 has saddle-like threading engagement means 140 comprising a U-shaped plate which engages two adjacent threads of screw 136.
  • a tab 142 opposing saddle 140 maintains threading engagement between support arm 118 and screw 136, during screw rotation.
  • support arm 118 is deflected in the direction of arrow 124, to move the bifurcated contact surfaces 130 in a direction transverse to path 104 so that, on subsequent rotation of table 102, contact surfaces 130 engage different points along the tapered leading edge 110 of contact 106.
  • This adjustment in effect varies the length of the path along the contact 106 travelled by finger-like contact 128, thereby controlling the timing duration of electrical engagement between contact members 106, 128.
  • table 102 could be mounted for reciprocal movement in a straight line or curved path to provide relative movement between a finger contact 128 and the contact plate 106.
  • the leading edge of contact 106 is tapered, such that when contact 128 is advanced in a transverse direction to path 104, different points along the tapered leading edge are engaged to provide a differential timing between the mating contact members.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Printed Wiring (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
EP86305725A 1985-09-03 1986-07-25 Stamped circuitry assembly Expired EP0216466B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US771858 1985-09-03
US06/771,858 US4659157A (en) 1985-09-03 1985-09-03 Stamped circuitry assembly

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0216466A2 EP0216466A2 (en) 1987-04-01
EP0216466A3 EP0216466A3 (en) 1988-04-06
EP0216466B1 true EP0216466B1 (en) 1992-04-08

Family

ID=25093162

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP86305725A Expired EP0216466B1 (en) 1985-09-03 1986-07-25 Stamped circuitry assembly

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4659157A (ja)
EP (1) EP0216466B1 (ja)
JP (2) JPS6255819A (ja)
BR (1) BR8603484A (ja)
DE (1) DE3684743D1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4787216A (en) * 1987-10-15 1988-11-29 Whirlpool Corporation Adjustable ice maker control
JP2835128B2 (ja) * 1989-03-15 1998-12-14 アンプ インコーポレーテッド 回路パネル
US5012391A (en) * 1989-08-17 1991-04-30 Amp Incorporated Molded electrical interconnection system
JP2561867Y2 (ja) * 1991-09-06 1998-02-04 株式会社三協精機製作所 小型発音装置
US5160094A (en) * 1992-02-24 1992-11-03 Whirlpool Corporation Recoverable domestic ice maker
US5596182A (en) * 1994-01-28 1997-01-21 France/Scott Fetzer Company Icemaker
JP2007292517A (ja) * 2006-04-21 2007-11-08 Seiko Clock Inc アラーム針駆動装置及びこれを用いた時計
CN109545603A (zh) * 2019-01-05 2019-03-29 叶永胜 一种端子卡扣式的防水旋转开关

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1668974A (en) * 1926-03-12 1928-05-08 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Snap switch
US2971249A (en) * 1955-09-30 1961-02-14 Rogers Corp Method for applying patterns to base material
US2969300A (en) * 1956-03-29 1961-01-24 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Process for making printed circuits
US3108360A (en) * 1960-10-08 1963-10-29 Hackler Ludwig Method of making electrical circuits
US3362181A (en) * 1965-06-24 1968-01-09 Whirlpool Co Ice maker apparatus
US3399452A (en) * 1966-03-07 1968-09-03 Sperry Rand Corp Method of fabricating electrical connectors
DE2305883A1 (de) * 1973-02-07 1974-08-15 Finsterhoelzl Rafi Elekt Leiterplatte
US3845256A (en) * 1973-12-10 1974-10-29 Scott & Fetzer Co Cam-operated timer switch assembly with improved flexible, printed circuit terminal connectors
US4164071A (en) * 1977-12-27 1979-08-14 Ford Motor Company Method of forming a circuit board with integral terminals
JPS59145B2 (ja) * 1978-06-02 1984-01-05 日産自動車株式会社 自動車用電気機器の通電構造
US4384755A (en) * 1981-02-02 1983-05-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Electrical harness interface system
DE3306120A1 (de) * 1983-02-19 1984-08-23 Gotthard 1000 Berlin Schulte-Tigges Fertigungsverfahren fuer elektrische schaltungen
US4508399A (en) * 1984-01-03 1985-04-02 Amp Incorporated Polarized ribbon cable connector having circuit components therein

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0216466A3 (en) 1988-04-06
JPH0237055B2 (ja) 1990-08-22
US4659157A (en) 1987-04-21
JPH0237052B2 (ja) 1990-08-22
JPS6280929A (ja) 1987-04-14
EP0216466A2 (en) 1987-04-01
DE3684743D1 (de) 1992-05-14
BR8603484A (pt) 1987-04-14
JPS6255819A (ja) 1987-03-11

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